I was gutted the fun Victoria’s Secret show got cancelled – now I want to be wowed by sexy angels in sparkly bras again
SCOFFING a sharing box of Maltesers as I watched Gisele Bundchen gliding down the runway at a Victoria’s Secret Show didn’t scar me . . . it wowed me.
I was in my teens. I was a fashion and celeb-obsessed kid staring at a blurry YouTube video of drop-dead gorgeous models wearing next to nothing with giant wings on their back.
The signature bouncy blow-dry, the bronzed skin, the never-ending legs . . . I just loved the performance of the angels.
Because that’s what it was.
Not a run-of-the-mill catwalk show where miserable-looking, skeletal girls thud their way down the catwalk — it was bright, fun and theatrical.
When I heard that it was coming back this October after a five-year hiatus, I immediately googled to find out more details and reserved a spot on my couch for the big event.
In the show’s heyday the diamond-encrusted lingerie and outfits weren’t clothes, they were costumes.
The sets were like something you would see in a West End production.
Big music names including Taylor Swift, Rihanna and even the Spice Girls performed over the years which made it all the more exciting — much like watching your favourite artists at The Brits.
But it wasn’t perfect and over the last few years the brand has struggled to find its way.
The question is can the show’s resurrection turn its fortunes around?
Victoria’s Secret has faced criticism over angels who were predominantly white and stick-thin.
In 2015, when size 8 Gigi Hadid made her debut, insiders said she was working out three times a day because she was concerned that she might be “too curvy”.
Another show regular, Adriana Lima, said she cut out all solid food nine days before the event to adhere to the show’s strict body-fat requirements.
Things soured further for the brand when marketing executive Ed Razek implied transgender and plus-size models were not part of the “fantasy” of the show in a 2018 Vogue interview.
This was the beginning of the end for the event.
It was cancelled the following year, amid a falling share in the lingerie market — dropping from 32 per cent in 2013 to 24 per cent in 2018.
I have to admit, I was sad to see it go.
But, as a fashion editor, I understand something had to change.
Cut out solid food
In 2011, the show had ten million viewers which fell to a measly 3.2million in 2018.
This was reflected in profit margins, too.
In recent years it’s been Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty and Kim Kardashian’s Skims brand ruling the lingerie market.
Both are far more inclusive than the Nineties and Noughties versions of Victoria’s Secret.
Women now want to see how underwear will look on bodies like their own, and the Victoria’s show, which launched in 1995 and was first televised in 2001, wasn’t ticking that box.
But as a fan, I was sad that my annual binge of beautiful women in bejewelled bras and spectacular angel wings had come to an end.
‘Pure fantasy’
It was pure fantasy and that’s what I loved about it.
No one watching was swanning around their bedroom with wings strapped to their back or a fan blasting their hair.
And the Angels sculpted figures weren’t like, well, anyone’s.
Once you accepted that, you could sit back and enjoy the show — snacks in hand.
Since the spectacle ended, the brand has been dogged by scandal.
It was revealed that CEO Les Wexner had links with Jeffrey Epstein, and a New York Times investigation revealed a “culture of misogyny” at parent company L Brand.
Both Wexner and Razek have left since and Victoria’s Secret has been attempting to reinvent its image.
In 2021 it ditched its angels and replaced them with the “VS collective” which included a transgender model and US footballer Megan Rapinoe.
Lingerie campaigns went from glam to bland.
Some praised the move, but others accused the brand of forgetting its core customer who wanted to live the Victoria’s Secret fantasy.
Now, after five years off, the original big show is back in all its glitzy glory — returning on Tuesday from a top secret New York location.
Original Angels including Tyra Banks, Candice Swanepoel and Gigi Hadid will appear, along with Canadian model and vitiligo ambassador Winnie Harlow, who got her wings in 2018.
‘Insanely hot’
Fans are hoping regular Lily Aldridge will make an appearance but this is yet to be confirmed.
New recruits include Imaan Hammam, plus curvy models Devyn Garcia and Paloma Elsesser who has been a regular on the Savage x Fenty catwalk.
London-born Paloma said: “Growing up I thought these women were so beautiful, embodied an identity and an experience I couldn’t particularly relate to but that I really admired.
“I’m really excited about this show speaking to a new generation of models and people and also speaking to the legends of the past.”
I think she’s hit the nail on the head there. It’s giving a nod to the past but embracing the cultural shift.
The brand is edging towards striking the balance between sexy and aspirational but also catering for its huge and diverse female customer base.
Unlike in previous years, the show will have an all-female line-up of stars performing, including headliner Cher.
I’m hoping Sabrina Carpenter could appear as Victoria’s Secret has been dressing her for her recent tour.
In August it was also announced that Hillary Super, former CEO of Savage X Fenty, would be Victoria’s Secret’s new boss.
This is the first time there has been a woman at the helm and shares immediately soared 18 per cent.
Flagship stores, such as in London’s New Bond Street, which had a seedy black and pink vinyl interior, have closed and two more modern ones will open, on Oxford Street and Westfield Stratford.
There’s been a sea change and I cannot wait to see the event on Tuesday.
Spectacular wings
Once again, I will watching it on YouTube, but while I previously would watch a duff version the day after the event because I didn’t have access to American TV channels, this time I’ll see it live.
For the first time in its history, the fashion show will be streaming live on social media, as well as Amazon Live and Prime Video, which means Brits will not miss out.
For the first time in its history, it will be streaming live on social media, as well as Amazon Live and Prime Video, which means Brits will not miss out.
All I want is to be wowed by wonderful performers, Angels old and new wearing spectacular wings, and women of all sizes looking insanely hot in lingerie that looks like it should be hung on your Christmas tree.
Do I believe in life after the Noughties Victoria’s Secret?
Yes. And will there be Maltesers? Of course.
HOW TO WATCH
SEE the show live from 11.30pm on Tuesday October 15 on Amazon Live and Prime Video.
Or stream on Victoria’s Secret Instagram, YouTube or TikTok.
The Pink Carpet kicks off at 11.30pm with the big event starting at midnight.